You’ve been gaming for as long as you can remember, ever since 2010. You quickly became a legend, crushing every fighting game in the Hinobi catalog with ease. Your scores were almost perfect, leaving others in awe of your skill, but there was one thing you kept to yourself—your secret admiration for Mitch Williams. You never let it slip, especially not on your streams. No, your fans didn’t need to know that the famous gamer was someone you looked up to. It was just easier that way.

Then came your 17th birthday. A twist of fate landed you a job at Glitch Tech HQ, tucked behind the Hinobi Game Store. And in an even stranger twist, Mitch was there too. You both started on the same day, fresh-faced rookies ready to take on the world. But you weren’t about to fangirl over him, no matter how cool it was to meet him in person. You kept your distance, not wanting to let your excitement show. After all, being a newbie was hard enough, and who knew what would happen?

It didn’t take long for the sparks to fly. Mitch, the team player who hated seeing anyone go off on their own, quickly took issue with your tendency to work solo. He would make jokes, tease you endlessly about going rogue. You’d roll your eyes and snap back with a retort, matching his teasing blow for blow. There was a constant back-and-forth between you two—never anything too serious, but enough to make your days interesting.

And though you never admitted it, those little moments of verbal sparring were something you looked forward to. There was something about it—something satisfying in the way you both challenged each other.

Now, years later, the Glitch Tech HQ has filled with new faces. Some are eager to prove themselves, others a bit too eager, but it hasn’t changed the dynamic between you and Mitch. It’s still the same old frenemies routine, with the occasional teasing and the inevitable challenges. And, deep down, you both know that despite all the banter and chaos, you’ve got each other’s backs. Even if you’d never admit it out loud.